Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Here are updates of my belly and a look at our stroller and car seat travel system...

Pregnancy Updates

Hey folks,

This is for you!

25 weeks belly shot

Crib shots

Ultrasound Pictures

10/10 Work week ensamble

Alright folks, as promised I have pics from my weekly work wardrobe.  So far so good with the non-maternity challenge.  Enjoy!

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Sunday church outfit

Here is what I am currently wearing: a grey tunic that I paired with black tights. I bought this shirt from the thrift store yesterday for 9.00.   It was the most expensive item I purchased, but it's totally worth it.  The fabric is incredibly soft and super stretchy.  Enjoy!!!

I hate maternity clothes...utterly!!!

Ok, so here is the deal.  I absolutely hate maternity clothes. I have absolutely been to Destination Motherhood, Motherhood, and Pea-n-a-Pod.  Some of the clothes are terrific, that is, if I want to pay top dollar. I can also wear clothes that are NOT my style, just to put on that stretchy fabric.  No thank you!!! I have decided after much research that I will NOT be wearing maternity clothes (unless I absolutely have to as in the last month of pregnancy).

So, in an attempt to show the world that pregnancy doesn't equal matronly, I will be snapping pics of each of the ensembles I put together and modeling them for you.  Leave me some feedback, let me know what you think.  As of right now, I am 17 weeks and 0 days.  I will be starting today.

Be back soon with vlog and my first set of pic (neither pants nor shirt will be maternity).....
 FYI-Hubby and I agreed that you won't be seeing my face in any of the videos and photos.  Can't be too careful!  Thanks for understanding

Some ideas for safe keeping....

The crib I am thinking about.........

These cribs are actually apart of a set at JCPenney. They both are on sale for $899 for the crib, dresser, and changing table. I might just get one of them. We'll see.

I'm back!!!

Well, it has been quite a few months since I've posted here.  In all that time, what have I been doing, you ask?  Well..........

1. I've moved across country from NJ to CA
2.  I've started a new job
3. I've been BAKING a baby!!! 

I think I'm most excited about #3.  Right now I am exactly 16 weeks, and I couldn't be more thrilled.  We have slowly been buying baby clothes.  We really wanted to wait until I was in the 2nd trimester.  So what we have been doing is waiting for Kohl's to send us those $10 gift cards.  Then we go to the baby clearance section and look for items.  I think I posted in a previous post that we purchased 6 onesies for 2.00 with the first gift card.  You know what, I think I'll start a running tally for all of us to follow.

Kohls $10 gift card 1
1. 3-pk onesies 0-3 months = 6.00
2. 3-pk onesies 3-6 months = 6.00
total 12.00 and change, used git card and paid about 2 and change.

Kohl's $10 gift card 2
1. 6 pack socks = 10.59
*my husband purchased this.  I was not in the store otherwise we might have purchased more than socks :)
total 11 and change, used gift card and paid 1 and change

Kohl's $10 gift card 3
1. 3-pk onesies 0-3 months = 7.20
2. blue shorts 0-3 months = 2.10
3. 1 cotton sleeper jumper = 6.30
total 16. 62, used gift card and paid 6.62

We'll see what we can buy next time. Thanks Kohl's!!!

When I went to check out I saw that if you gave Kohl's your email then you'll get $5 off your next purchase.  So, of course I did.  I'll keep you all posted with any other deals.

A whirlwind of a week

So last week, I had a pretty normal work week.  Then came the weekend.  I visited a friend in upstate New York, and it was HOT as HECK!!  I was so tired from the heat.  Well, it was good to visit with old friends and spend some time talking about the good ol' days .  I am still recovering from my weekend trip, but I'm back!

On the baby front, I had a really good week.  I received a $10 gift card in the mail from Khol's.  So I intended to buy another maternity piece from the clearance rack.  Bad Idea!  There was nothing I would ever actually consider wearing.  I don't know what Khol's online has to offer, but I was less than impressed with what was offered in their store maternity section.  Well, the trip was still a success. As I was exiting the store, I noticed that there was a massive baby sale.   So I ended up buying two packs of onesies that were regular $12  a piece for $2 total. That's right folks.  I bought 6 onesies for $2 including tax.  I bought one 3-pack newborn to 3 mos and one 3-pack 3mos to 6mos.  Can't beat that...well, maybe if they both would have been FREE.  Maybe next time.

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!

I have started eating meat.  I had my first piece of chicken in almost 2 years.  I decided that my baby's health was more important than my radical ideas about the chicken-and other meat- in this country.  Of course, I only eat certified organic (I don't even trust that.  The FDA is easily bought).  Anyway, I had a grilled chicken salad for dinner.  I plan to eat chicken no more than twice a week and fish or beans the other days of the week.  I love my LO.  I will do anything for my baby.  I am not thrilled by this decision, but the hubster and I talked it over.  This is right for us and our baby.  Once I deliver our LO I will return to a pescatarian lifestyle.

Wait, there's more good news!  I had my first ultrasound today.  After going for my first prenatal appointment (and horrendous pap) on last week, I was told to come back today for an ultrasound.   It was the greatest experience ever.  Ok, maybe that's hyperbole...just a little.  Because I am so early I had to have a transvaginal u/s.  When my u/s tech first pulled out the stick I said, "Hmmm, where is that going?"  She laughed, and then explained the procedure.  It really wasn't so bad.  Then the fun began.  I got a chance to see my LO's tiny little body.  I also got to hear my LO's heart beat.  That part really was incredible.  I stand in awe of the miracle of life.  Truly when I think of how awesome  this whole process is I can't help but give praise to God .

Lord I am so grateful for the gift of life inside me.  Thank you for this precious little baby.  I believe that you have sent me an angel.  Lord, please help me to be a mother after your own heart.  Teach me, Lord, how to love my baby with all that is within me.  Please keep my baby from harm, and keep my body strong as I carry this precious LO until 40 weeks.  Thank you, Lord, for this marvelous gift.  My heart is overwhelmed.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

That's all for now...blessing to you

Enough deodorant to last me a year...check

Ok, so I am a couponer. This week I have found a deal on Dove  deodorant.  My local market has them on sale for .98 cents, and I have 20 coupons for .75 cents off any Dove deodorant or body midst.  Since my store doubles all coupons up to .99 cents up to four like coupons, I will pay absolutely nothing but tax for 20 deodorants.  My store does not give me the overage, so the coupons will double up to the cost of the item- but still FREE.   In case you need a visual, here's the mathematical breakdown:

  (4) deodorants = 3.92

- (4) .75 coupons that double (.75+.23) = 3.92

          tax = .27 

______________________________________

.27 for four deodorants

x 5 (I will do the transaction 5 times since my 

        store limits how many coupons I can use at               one time)

______________________________________

1.35 total for 20 dove deodorants.  

1.74 for 20 coupons off ebay (where I purchase  

        most of my coupons)

______________________________________

Grand Total:   $3.09  

I think that's a great price for 20 deodorants, and I won't have to buy deodorant for one full year!!! SWEET

Thrift store here I come...updated

Ok, so I am on my way to my fav thrift store (Red, White, & Blue) to see what their maternity selection is today.  I like to go on Saturdays because everything is 50% off except one colored tag.  I will keep you posted as to what I find.  Wish me luck!

*****update*****
Alright, folks, I am back.  My fav thrift store is about one hour away but soooo worth the trip.  Today I only planned to spend 30 bucks.  When I arrived, they had just opened.  Great-not too many customers.  I started with the dressed and  don't you know I found a cute motherhood maternity dress in purple for 7.95.  Score!!  Then my luck ran out.  Where are all the maternity clothes?   I thought to check on the plus-size aisle.  Lo and behold there they were. 

Let's just pause here. What is that about?  Why are maternity clothes clumped with plus-sized clothes?  Things that make you go hmmm....  

Anyway, many clothes were in larger sizes, but I managed to find some great buys in smaller sizes.  I found another motherhood dress, a motherhood shirt, gap jeans, and kika jeans.  All five maternity items cost me 26.14 with tax.  I am thrilled.  It was another great day of thrift store shopping.

PS-my new "used" clothes are in the wash even now.  I can't wait until I get to wear them.

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to be a good steward of my resources.  Thank you for always providing for me.  Where would I be without you, Lord!

A few ideas for safe keeping...

I don't know if any of you following this blog can relate to this, but I gotta say that I absolutely love the color brown-especially when it's paired with either pink, green or blue.  I don't know if we are having a girl or boy, but what I do know is that I love all things brown, and I seem to be drawn to nurseries that incorporate brown in a big way.  Here is one that I absolutely love

We'll have to see what else I find in the next couple of months. Speaking of which, I am thinking about raiding my local thrift store for maternity clothes. I know I will buy a few pieces for work (a sister's gotta look a certain way ). I just don't see the utility in spending hundreds of dollars on clothing I will only need for a couple of months. I'll go looking this weekend. Who knows what I will find. I'll keep you all posted. That's about all my way.

I pray that the peace of God which surpasses all understanding would guard your hearts. I pray for all of you reading this who are with child. I ask that my Lord, Jesus Christ, would strengthen your womb and guard your baby. I pray against anything that would seek to harm your baby and seek to stop the plan of god for your life. For those of you who are trying to conceive or have experienced a recent loss, I pray that you would experience God's comfort and encouragement. I pray that you would stay strong in your faith. Where you are weak, experience his strength. Where you are tired, experience his rest. For my own LO, I plead the blood of Jesus, and I continue to speak life and health into your little body. In Jesus name I pray, amen!

This is really happening!

I have been MIA for a few days...whew, what a week.  Anyway, I am back .  I had my first doctor's appointment today.  I went pretty well.  My gyno took a urine sample (it came back positive, of course).  My estimated due date is March 19, 2012.  I definitely don't think that's accurate based on my calculations.  We'll have to see when I go for my first ultrasound in two weeks. I can't wait.  My gyno told me I would have had one today if the tech had been on duty (of course she wasn't when I was in the office).  So far, so good.  I give glory to God for the great things he has done.  I still am in shock that this is actually happening to the hubster and me.  WOW! Thank you, Jesus (ya'll have to excuse me while I give praise to the giver of life)  In case you didn't know, that's my happy dance...lol!

I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I don't eat meat.  I only eat seafood; I guess that makes me a pescatarian.  Well you can understand how being pregnant would have big implications for my diet.  So I spoke with my doctor about this and it turns out that I am free to eat fish as long as it's wild caught (i.e. Salmon, Cod, or Talipia).  I can also eat shrimp....JACKPOT!!!!  I love shrimp.   I also found out that I may continue to eat dark chocolate.  Yahoo!!! I am a pretty healthy eater, and I was dreading giving up my indulgences like dark chocolate and almonds.  Looks like I won't have to after all...So I am expecting to gain between 25 and 30lbs.  I am currently 134.6, 5'6, and mostly muscle (thanks Tony Horton and the P90X crew).  I eat about 5 times a day, and I am careful to eat lots of protein so as to not eat junk.  I'll be tracking my weight as the months progress.  Hopefully, I am able to stick with the plan.

Now on a serious note-why didn't I know that I was getting a pap smear today.  I had a pap a few months ago, and it wasn't pleasant.  So when I see my gyno pull out the stirrups I'm thinking "what's she doing?"  This time it seemed like it took forever, too.  I swear it seemed like I could literally feel her scrapping my uterine wall.  The funny part is that she was trying to distract me by asking me abut my job blah. blah. blah.  Let me just say that I appreciated the effort, but  it didn't work .